The search for Bliss

[badseed1980]

Hi gang!

I am starting to plan my first-ever sweater! I want to do the "Tempting" pattern from the current issue of Knitty. The yarn they use is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I will need either 6 or 7 skeins of it, depending on what size I decide to make.

First of all, does anyone know of a particularly good place either online or offline, in the Boston area, to get this yarn? Someplace with a good price?

Second of all, how much stretch does this yarn have? The pattern itself looks fairly stretchy--it's a 2x2 rib stitch. I have a smallish waist and big boobs, so I want something that will fit my boobs without looking like a tent underneath them. The image with the pattern shows a close-fitting sweater. Am I going to want to make a finished measurement that is SMALLER around than my actual bust measurement, and expect a decent amount of stretch from the pattern and the yarn? Or should I go for my exact measurement or a little bigger? I have never had to worry about ease before.

I'm not sure, but I think I want to do it in a lilac colour, with a black satin ribbon. Or maybe forest green with a black grosgain ribbon. I really love this style of sweater. It looks so flattering, but is still easy to make! So excited!!

Comments

[lindalee.livejournal.com]

I saw this yarn the other day at Woolcott in Harvard Square. I don't know about their prices, but I did just do a serious search of prices for a different yarn that they carry, and it seems that their price is pretty standard, even against various mail-order places. This surprised me, but there you go.

They also have a return policy, where you can return extra skeins within 6 months for store credit, so you can be buy an extra skein to be sure you don't run out, and not screw yourself financially.

A 2x2 rib is the stretchiest rib there is, so that's probably going to be about as good as it gets.

Good luck!

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Oh, did I post this to my journal instead of punk_knitters? Silly me. But then again, there are also lotsa people on my friends list who would have good ideas. :)

I've seen anywhere from $7 to $9 a skein online, and then there's shipping...

Woolcott might be best, if they 1) carry it, 2) carry the colour I want, and 3) carry enough skeins of said colour.

Which do you think would be cuter of the two colour options I mentioned?

[lindalee.livejournal.com]

I learned the other day that if they don't have the color you want, they can order it for you.

They seemed generally well-stocked when I was in there the other day, eyeing the machine washable and dryable GEMS Opal yarns.

I would persnally go for the dark green, but you might like the lilac. So, YMMV. :-)

[dee-cee.livejournal.com]

First of all, YAY on your first sweater! I'll be starting my second one soon.

The 2x2 rib will actually be perfect for your build. It will cling where it needs to, and give as well. But I would do a swatch and then stretch it before making the final product a size smaller.

I know Debbie Bliss is on the expensive side, but I also know you're a yarn snob and see this as a wise investment. :)

Here's a website for yarn reviews: Knitter's Review (http://www.knittersreview.com/review/product/section.asp#yarn)

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thanks for the link! I will check the stretchiness of a swatch. I will also have to see how my size compares to the ones listed.

[leenah.livejournal.com]

yay!!!!! i'm psyched you're gonna make a sweater.

i'm still working on the shapely T. it'll be a while. but eventually it WILL be done.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Sweet. :)

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

I don't think I know you. I got here via a friend's page. Hi!

I think you'd want the sweater to be a bit smaller than your actual measurement. This sweater of all sweaters should not be made too big, and the rib is very stretchy. If you're concerned about waist vs. chest measurements, it might be worthwhile to play with the sweater pattern a little. I wouldn't muck around with increases and decreases on this, but I might consider using a slightly smaller needle for the sweater up to the point where it would hit your breasts, and then switching off to a larger one. I wouldn't go for very much difference - one needle size up or down - and I'd make sure to check the stitch guages on both of them first.

It is a cute sweater. I'm thinking about making myself.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Ok, so a "waist needle" and a "boob needle" then? Interesting idea. Might work.

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

OK, I *want* one of these (http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwavy.html) and a pair of these (http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTverytallsocks.html), but..... this thing (http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwomb.html)???

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

You should see the "Sex and the Knitty" issue with all the lingerie! And an edible thong knit out of red licorice laces!

[unkyjar.livejournal.com]

I was wandering around my friend sororbabylon friends list, reading the discussions on the poly community. I saw your comment, then checked out your intrests/feeds and just wanted to tell you, well, you're neat.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Well shucks, lord knows I try. :)

Nice to meet you.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

I saw the stretchy thing lind is making, and I like this stretchy knitting stuff.

I can picture the sexiness resulting from you wearing those things . . . and from them crumpl . . . did I say that?

I liked the link to the knit stockings . . . with garteers!!!!

Squee! I love garters!

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Note to self: buy more stockings.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

yesssss.....
we loveses stockinnggssess, don'ts we preciousss?